Combating Desertification- LEISA India December 2012 Issue

Land degradation is not just the result of natural disasters. It is also the outcome of long-term over exploitation of natural resources and ecosystems, generated by the dominating approach to agricultural development. To address these problems, we cannot pursue the same ways of thinking that have led to this situation.

We need to take a different perspective – which is already presenting itself. A variety of experiences of farmers, NGOs and scientists over past decades has laid the basis for a new agricultural paradigm. A small selection of these experiences is presented in this issue of LEISA India. A central concept in this new paradigm is the resilience of farming communities and their ecosystems.